Generator for ignition purposes.



B. AMES.

GENERATOR FOR IGNITION PURPOSES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17, 1912. RENEWED SEPT. 11. 1913. 6,, Patented Oct. 28, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

- B. AMES.

GENERATOR FOR IGNITION PURPOSES.

Patented Oct. 28, 1913.

2 SHEETS-BREE 2.

BUTLER AMES, 0! LOWELL, MAS-SACHUSETTS.

GENERATOR FOR IGNITION PURPOSES.

Application and June 17, 1912, Serial No. 704,211.

Specification of Letters Patent.-

Patented Oct. 28, 1913. Renewed September 11, 1913. Serial No. 789,382.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Home Arms, .a citizen of the United States, residing at Lowell, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented 'certain new and useful Improvements in Gen erators for Ignition Purposes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawm s.

%his invention relates to means employed in bridging the make and break. contacts of' enerators for ignition purposes, of the high or low tension type. Its principal obgect is to locate a condenser as near as possible to the make and break contacts of a generator, for the purpose of shortenlng the leads of the condenser bridging the contacts of the interrupter, in order to more eificiently prevent the sparking at. said cont-acts; and I- attain thisobject by combining a condenser and a make and break contact case in a unitary structure wherein the condenser is located as nearas is possible tothe contact points ofthe make and break mechanism.

Some of the other objects are, for example, to do away with the flexible leads of the condenser; and to securely hold the condenser within the make and break case; all of which, with the means whereby these objects may be attained, will fully appear hereinafter.

In the drawings illustrating the principle of my invention and the best mode now known to me of embodying the same in operative structure, Figure 1 is a perspective, view of a condenser. Fig. 2 is an elevation of a make and break case with which the condenser is combined. Fig. 3 is a. section, in elevation, on line 33, Fig. 4, of the make and break case, the contained condenser, and the interrupting mechanism. Fig. 4 is an end view of the make and break case and contained structure, the end cover of the case having been removed. Fig. 5 is a plan of a metallic spring washer. Fig. 6 is a side view of the same. Fig. 7 is a plan of metallic clip washer. Fig. 8 shows in perspective, a distributing gear frame with bearing for make and break case; armature shaft with cam, and spring armature terminals. Fig. 9 shows the make and break case mounted upon its bearing on the distributing gear frame of. the generator, 2.

wardly, parallel with the axis of the fiber tubing 2 upon which they are wound. The alternate odd numbered layers 3, 3, and the alternate even numbered layers, 4, 4, respectively, come, when electrically connected together, by being pressed down against each other and there compressed, soldered and givena finished surface, the two sides 7, 6, of the condenser. Wound u on the ciroumferential surface of the con enser are a number of thickness of insulation 8, such as the above mentioned paraffin paper. This condenser 1, is mounted within a make and break contact case 5', made of steel tubing, the outside of which is covered with fiber insulation 10, Figs. 3 and 4, and-the inside diameter of which is substantially the same as that of the condenser 1. To provide the condenser with a suitable cover, proper insulation and proper electrical connections, certain parts are arranged as follows: In one end portion of this tubing, there is fixedly mounted a brass ring 11, Fig. 3, which has a suitable bearing 12, Figs. 8 and 9, upon the distributing gear frame 13, Figs. 8 and 9 of generator 14, Fig. 9 and has, with the make and break case, an axis common with that of an armature shaft 15, Fig. 8, of the generator. This bearing ring 11 may be held in position in the make and break contact case, as by two stop screws 16, and also, as by two screws 17 used to secure upon the exterior end of the case an advance and retard lever arm 18, Figs. 2 and 3. A thin brass ring washer 19, corresponding in shape to that of the condenser in elevation, is pushed in through the opposite end of the case and into engagement with the inside face of the bearing ring 11; next a split spring 20, Fig. 3, such as shown in Figs.

5 and 6, is inserted and moved into contact with the brass washer 19; the condenser 1 is then pressed into the case; the side 6 contacting with the split spring ring 20;

and the exterior circumferential insulation of the condenser 8, Figs. 1 and 3 touching a strip of insulation 21 secured to the corresponding inside metallic surface of the case 1. After the condenser, there is mo ed against its exposed side 7, a brass washer 22, Figs. 3 and 7, a portion 23 projecting from its outside circumference. This clip 23 sticks out through a hole 24, Fig. 2, in the make and break case, the opening in the steel tubing being larger than that through the exterior fiber covering, so that the clip 23 of the brass washer 22, cannot touch the steel tubing. A ring of insulation 25 is placed next to the outside of the clip washer 22; and, finally, to bind the condenser and all of the above mentioned parts together, there is what may be called a condenser cover, comprising a metallic disk 26 and a metallic ring 27 joined together, the disk covering the entire side of the insulation 25 adjacent to and parallel with, the condenser; and the ring, passing through the respective holes in the insulating ring 25, the brass clip washer 22, the insulated fiber tube 2 of the condenser, the spring clip ring 20, and the brass ring washer 19. To secure all of these parts mentioned, including the condenser, in operative position, pressure is exerted upon the outside disk 26 of the cover, and all of the parts approach each other; the spring ring 20 becoming compressed. The disk 26 of the condenser cover is then secured in place, as by means of rivets 28 passing through the wall of the make and break case, and through a flange 29, Fig. 3, formed on said washer, where the rivets are cut off and headed over.

It will thus be seen from the above description, and an examination of the drawings, that each of'the sides 6 and 7 of the condenser 1 has, instead of a wire lead,

a metal connection in intimate contact with it; that is, for example, one side 7, with the metal clip washer 22; and the other side 6, through the split spring ring 20 contacting the brass washer 19.

Within the make and break case, and between the condenser cover and the open end of the tube, is the make and break mechanism of the generator. Also mounted in the hole 24, through the wall of the make and break case, is a metallic bracket 30, Figs. 2, 4 and 9, secured to the outside of the case by metal screws 31, which are insulated from the bracket by means of small suitable insulated tubes, well understood and not shown. In this bracket, is the screw contact 32, Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 9, of the make and break mechanism; while to it, is connected, as by a screw 33, the clip 23 of the metallic ring contacting one side, as 7, of the condenser; it also has a suitable binding screw 34, as for one end of the primary wire of a spark coil. Fixed to the inside of the casing,

by screws 35, Fig. 4, is a bracket 36 having pivoted therein on a pin 37, a make and break lever 38, one end of which tends to engage the make and break screw contact 32, by reason of a thin spring 39, likewise secured to the inside of the case. Through another opening in the wall of the make and break case, there projects into the case, a portion of a bracket 41, insulated from the metal case and secured thereto, as described, by means of screws 42 and insulated tubes in the screw holes of the bracket. To this part of the bracket is fixed, by means of screws 43, a flat metallic finger portion 44, designed to engage armature spring terminals 45, Fig. 8, protruding from the end of the armature shaft 15, and connected to the armature winding, not shown. To secure all of the above mentioned structure in proper relation to the magneto, this unitary structure is supported at its inner end by the journal member 12, Figs. 8 and 9, on the distributing gear frame 13, and by the end 47, of a hook rod 48, Fig. 9, mounted and operated by a spring in a wcllknown way, but not shown; said end 47 engaging and supporting a circular plate or cover 49 which has a flange that enters and supports the outer end portion of the case.

The operation and use of my invention will now be plain. The electric current, generated by the armature of the generator, passes through the armature terminals 45, through the finger portion 44 of the bracket 41 and a wire connected to, but not shown in, the bracket, to the coil of the spark coil, through said coil to a terminal not'shown, but supposed to be mounted On the bracket 30 containing the contact screw 32, down through the make and break lever 38, its pivot 37, its bracket 36, to the steel case 9 and to ground through the distributer gear frame 13. The make andbreak lever 38 is caused to break contact with its contact screw, as by a suitable cam 50, Fig. 8, on the armature shaft '46. The gap formed between the make and break lever 38 and the contact screw 32 is bridged by the condenser by means of the brass clip washer 22, and of the steel tubing.9, brass bearing ring 11, and spring ring washer 20, thereby preventing destructive arcing at the contact points. The above operations are repeated upon each make and break between the make and break lever and its contact screw.

It will be obvious that this condenser has no flexible leads; that its leads are very short; that its contacting electric surfaces are large and intimate; that any possible longitudinal vibrations of the condenser, in relation to the case are taken care of by the metallic spring ring; that because of this unitary structure whereby the make and break mechanism is in such close proximity to the sides of the condenser, the latter becomes most efficient in preventing sparking at the gap formed between the points of the make and break mechanism, and may be of a size much smaller than would be required were the condenser located at a greater dis tance, as hasheretofore been the case. And still further, this unitary structure may be quickly and easily disconnected from, or assembled with, the generator.

Desiring to protect all the features of my invention in the broadest manner legally possible, what I claim is 1. In a generator, a metallic make and break casing, grounded; a condenser mounted within said casing; means to insulate the condenser from the casing; a metallic plate in contact with one side of said condenser and also with the inside of said casing; a metallic bracket mounted upon said casing; means to insulate said bracket from said casing; a metallic clip member contacting the other side of the condenser and connected directly to said latter metallic bracket; and means to insulate said metallic clip member from said metallic casing.

2. In a generator, a metallic make and break casing, grounded; a condenser mounted within said casing; means for insulating said condenser from said casing; a metallic plate in contact with one side of said condenser, and also with the inside of said casing; a metallic make and break lever pivotally mounted upon a metallic bracket on the inside of Said metallic casing; a metallic bracket mounted upon the outside of said casing; means to insulate said bracket from sai casing; a screw contact in said bracket to be engaged by the metallic make and break lever contact; a metallic clip member contacting the other side of the condenser and connected directly to the said latter bracket; and means to insulate said metallic clip from said metallic casing.

3QIn a generator, a cylindrical metallic make and break casing secured to and grounded upon the metallic frame of the generator; the axis of said casing being that of the armature shaft of thegenerator which designed to project into said casing; acondenser in the form of a hollow cylinder mounted within the casing and having a diameter corresponding to the inside diameter of the casing; a piece of fiber tubing to insulate the inside of said condenser; means to insulate the outside circumference of said condenser from the contacting metallic surface of the casing; a metallic rlng washer contacting one side of the condenser and the inside surface of the metallic casing; a me tallic ring contacting the other side of said condenser and having a clip which extends through a hole in the side of the casing;

means to insulate said clip from the metallic sides of said hole; a ring of insulating material covering the exposed side of said clip ring; a metallic washer and tube combined in one member and forming with the ring washer, a condenser cover for securing the condenser in operative position Withm the metallic casing; a bracket on the outside of the casing connected directly to the clip ring, as by screw contact in said bracket; means to insulate the bracket from said casing; a metallic bracket on the inside of and connected to said casing; and a metallic make and break lever pivoted to said bracket to engage said screw contact.

4. In a generator, a cylindrical metallic make and break casing secured to and grounded upon the metallic frame of the generator; the axis of said casin being that of the armature shaft of tie generator which is designed to project into said casing; a condenser .in the form of a hollow cylinder mounted within the casing and having a diameter corresponding to the inside diameter of the casing; a piece of fiber tubing to insulate the inside of said condenser; means to insulate the outside cir-i cumference of said condenser from the contacting metallic surface of the casing; a me tallic spring ring and a metallic ring washer, contacting one side of the condenser and the inside surface of the metallic casing; a, metallic ring contacting the other side of said condenser and having a clip which .extends through a hole in the side of the casing; means to insulate said clip from the metallic sides of said hole; a ring of insulating material covering the exposed side of said clip ring; a metallic washer and tube combined in one member and forming with the ring washer, a condenser cover for securing the condenser in operative position within the metallic casing; a bracket on the outside of the casing connected directly to the clip ring, as by screw contact in said bracket; means to insulate the bracket from said casing; a metallic bracket on the inside of and connected to said casing; and a metal- ]ic make and break lever pivoted to said bracket to engage said screw contact.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BUTLER AMES. Witnesses:

PIERRE J. Leeann, JOHN A. McKrNNA. 

